Free postal delivery of braille and other accessible-format materials has been a cornerstone of literacy, education and inclusion for people who are blind or partially sighted in Canada. This service ensures that children learning braille, students accessing course materials and adults seeking information can receive the resources they need in a timely and affordable way.
CELA and NNELS have taken important leadership in raising concerns about the proposed repeal of the legislative clause that has long protected free postage for accessible materials. CNIB proudly stands with them and has co-signed their letter to the federal government and Canada Post. We remain committed to working together as a community to ensure that people who are blind can continue to access the materials they rely on.
In recent days, the federal government and Canada Post have affirmed that they do not intend to stop the free delivery of braille and other accessible-format materials. We appreciate this reassurance. At the same time, Bill C-15 would remove the regulatory requirement that has safeguarded this service for decades. Without that requirement in place, future policy changes could create uncertainty for the people who depend on this essential support.
For many Canadians who are blind, Deafblind or have low vision, the ability to receive braille and other accessible-format materials through the mail is essential. It is how children learn to read, how students access course materials and how adults stay informed and connected to their communities. These materials cannot always be replaced by digital formats. They must be produced, packaged and delivered in ways that ensure they are tactile, readable and usable.
Free postage removes a major barrier to access and ensures that people can receive braille books, tactile diagrams and other alternate-format materials no matter where they live. This is especially important for rural, northern and Indigenous communities, where local access to accessible materials is often limited.
CNIB will continue to advocate for accessible, affordable and reliable access to braille and other alternate-format materials from coast to coast to coast. We support the work that CELA and NNELS are leading, and we will keep working with partners and government to protect the rights and access of the people we serve.